D.4. Temporary Cross-Designation

If a seat is empty and waiting to be filled, it will be temporarily filled by a judge randomly chosen from current or qualified retired judges at the same level of court. For example, a District Court seat will be filled by another District Court judge. This rule does not apply to the Supreme Court, which must wait for a new Justice to be confirmed. The temporary judge’s own job, duties, and term limit do not change. They serve only until the confirmed replacement takes office.